I saw an umpire call an out after a foul ball ricocheted off the back screen and the catcher caught it.

Game on a field with bases that were easily dislodged. Coach asks the umpire what his players needed to do if the base moved. The response "They better get on it." Coach, "What if it slides all the way to the fence?" Blue, "They better get on it." The sad thing is, the guy was serious.

I had been officiating for about 5 years and was attending my son Varsity HS game.They were beating the first place team. Bott. of seventh. They had bases loaded with two outs. Ball is hit to F4 who is back peddling to make the catch in the air of a short fly ball. As F4 is about to catch the ball, he falls backwards, gloves the ball, hits the ground and drops the ball. BU rules that F4 had possession long enough for an out.

I very emphatically encouraged my son's team to get on the bus.

Popup right over the plate. Umpire pulls his mask off by the harness with his right hand. The catcher catches the ball and when the ump hammers the out, his mask swings up and smacks him in the teeth.

PU getting frustrated that JV players weren't keeping shirts tucked in. He tells new batter to step back and tuck his shirt in. Then, he directs F1 to pitch while the kid is tucking in. Calls pitch a strike. Everyone else involved is dumbstruck, except for offensive manager who is loudly expressing his objection to this bush maneuver.

Well, he says, bet they'll keep their shirts in from now on. PU's windshield was shattered soon after by a foul ball. Priceless.

I am fortunate that the fields I work do not have mirrors. I have done most of the worst things that have happened in my games, but at least I did not have to see myself do them.

I will share one of them. It was a regular season game between two private high schools who are always in contention for the State title. It was the 3rd game of a three game set, and they had split the two previous games. The winner got the Regional championship.

The visiting team was batting in the top of the 5th. They led 2 to 1 and had R1 with no outs. The runner broke for 2nd, the batter squared to bunt, and the pitcher threw a fastball high and tight. The batter bailed and the catcher missed the pitch. The backstop is bricked up about three feet, then is screened. I heard the ball hit brick. As I cleared the catcher, I glanced at the runner and saw him cruise into 2nd. The catcher turned and caught the ball as it rebounded back toward us. I could tell from the arc that the ball hit the edge of the bricks and was probably cut pretty bad. I called time and asked for the ball. The catcher looked at me as if I was an idiot (he was right), then fired the ball to 1st base in time for the 1st baseman to tag R1 who thought the ball had been popped up and was returning to 1st. In my haste to prove I was an umpire who was on top of things and was aware of the posibility of a cut ball, I deprived the defense of the opportunity to get an out.

The worst I have seen was in a HS regional last year. The home team was ranked #1 in the state and the visiting team was ranked in the top 10. The visiting team had runners at 1st and 3rd with one out. I'm at A. The runner from 1st went on a hit and run. The batter swung and missed and his momentum carried him across the plate where he hit the catcher so hard he almost fell. I waited for the interference call, but it never came. The coach came out and discussed the play with my partner, then returned to the dugout. The two runs eventually scored and the visiting team won the game. After the game, my partner explained he did not call interference because "you cannot have interference without a throw".

Re: Well,
 

Bad day?


And you said?? :)

This is grusome but actually happened. It happened many years ago when many fences did not have the protective equipment on top of the chain link fences.

My partner, plate umpire made the call but I did talk him into reversing it, which he did so reluctantly. Maybe the threats of bodily harm coming from players of both team and the commissioner of the league had more to do with it than me.

Men's over 30 league. Bases loaded bottom of 7th inning,2 outs, with home team at bat down 5-2. Batter hits a towering fly ball toward left-center field. Center fielder runs to fence (10 ft high) and climbs up it. At the top he slips but the wires protruding up on top of the fence tear into his right bicep (also this is his glove hand) and he is just hanging there. The ball goes into the mitt. Another player had to climb up to raise him aff the fence so he could return to the ground.

My partner ruled that since the fielder was also touching the out of play side of the homerun fence that he was in dead ball area and awarded a home run.

Call was reversed to award the catch. Even the team that came out on the losing end afterward were in complete agreement it was a catch.

[Edited by Daryl H. Long on Mar 25th, 2005 at 01:32 AM]

The worst I have seen was a kid trying to steal third on a full count. Ball 4 calls the plate umpire. Catcher throws to 3rd. Out calls the field ump. The offensive team correctly comments that he should not be out as it was ball 4. The plate ump says since he was trying to steal he is out. After a little bit of time the plate ump realizes he is wrong but to correct it he said the batter that just walk will lead off the next inning.

Needless to say, that was the last game the plate ump worked for the league. The field ump was a teen just learning so he was given a lesson and a pass on it. He has turned into a pretty good ump since then.

This happened when I was BU about a week ago. 2nd year PU. Bottom of 1st. No runners. No outs. Ball 4 is a wild pitch that goes to the backstop. As the batter-runner starts sprinting to 1st, the catcher asks PU for time which he grants. 1B Coach tells runner to go to 2nd and that PU can't call time with the ball at the backstop. I had to put the player back on 1st. I knew it was going to be a long day.

The worst thing I have seen an umpire do is critize another official in public or in private for that matter. I think that far outways any mistake made on the field, because most of the mistake made on the field where learned from someone else.

Say what???
 

Learned from someone else???

Don't think there's much merit there. I remember after playing ball for 12 years and starting to umpire - I learned that I didn't know a whole lot about the game.

But, that's why we have rule books.

After reading it I learned that I didn't know much about the game afer all.

I don't learn much from others mistakes unless it is discussed in a meeting or forum where the rules can be discussed, and then applied.

And then I'm not going to pay much attention to another umpire unless he's proven himself and has my respect as a fine umpire,

but I learn a lot from my OWN mistakes.

That makes me get in the book and read so I won't make the same mistake again.

Thanks
David

Please don't ask me why I did this but; no one on and no outs. Ground ball to 2nd baseman, I curled inside the bag so far that I had to duck the throw. Luckily the 2nd baseman made the throw and 1st baseman was able to make the catch.

Mmmmm,
 

"The worst thing I have seen an umpire do is critize another official in public or in private for that matter. I think that far outways any mistake made on the field, because most of the mistake made on the field where learned from someone else."

------------------------------------------------------

The general errors I see on the field (and also on sites such as this) are not learned behavior.

Most umpire errors come from failing to understand what is happening around them and how it can (does) impact the game.

The ONLY way an umpire can learn is to be criticized. Nothing is worth doing unless it is worth measuring. Evaluation and a critical review are parts of growing, it may not be trendy to disagree with you but I do.

I would agree with Tee. Rarely do I have a partner or a trusted observer come to me after a game with criticism, be it constructive or otherwise. Last year I was fortunate enough to work a couple of games with my UIC for American Legion in my area. He gave me several things to think about. The same thing occurred when I worked a Legion game with a NCAA umpire. I know that I improved in the areas they mentioned and I didn't take it the wrong way.

We all need input (call it criticism or advice) because none of us are as good as we could be. In other words, we should all be looking to get better and the input from partners can only help.

Lawrence

Don't feel too bad, I did the same thing once and had I not ducked I would have taken a ball to the head. As it was I still almost got nailed in the back.

Personally I want the critisim, from one who is qualified to give such critisim. How else am I supposed to learn what I am doing wrong and improve on the things I am doing sorta right. The one thing that bugs me the most is when there is a game after mine (basketball) and the experienced officials come in and I ask them what they thought and they tell me I did a nice job. That is not what I want to hear, I want to know what I did wrong, tell me that or at least tell me that you didn't really pay attention to the game so you really can't comment. Those are the things I want to hear.

Babe Ruth game, I was the BU bases empty, ground ball to short, a rather routine out at first, I thought. First base coach starts giving me the buisness, I replied "Coach, it wasn't even that close.", the PU, having coming up the line like he should, then yells at me - "don't talk to coaches like that!". I was stunned. I didn't talk to him during the game, and afterwards he wouldn't talk - threw his stuff in his car and drove off.

I agree that the input of others can be valuable in a one on one situation. I believe the comment was regarding an open criticism in a public arena. Such as sitting in the stands criticizing someone officiating a game to people in public.

That could be because they do not feel comfortable giving you a lot of negative comments. If you just read this board alone it is obvious that some here cannot ever take a negative comment thrown their way. You might have to press for more specific comments. I will admit I do not just give negative advice freely.

The only problem with getting critqued by a more senior official is that merely because they've been doing it 'longer' doesn't mean they do it 'better'. Everybody makes mistakes. Some of the things I've learned most completely and can recall the quickest on the field is a situation that I screwed up before. My first season I adopted a habit I read in one of Mr. Childress' works. Keep a diary, evaluate yourself frankly after each game.

Worst thing I've seen an umpire do: After working together one other time (I did the plate), my partner tried to wriggle out of his turn at the plate by saying "I forgot my cup." I offered him a spare and amazingly, his turned up. Great guy .

IG3

I will tell you up front that my son's coach did not protest the game because we were getting killed as it was, but:

The game was a Toledo P&R boys' 12U game (this league was a USSSA sanctioned league and therefore was using OBR).

We were in the field during the middle innings of a six inning game when our opponent's best batter hit a rope down the right field line. While the batter was between 2nd and 3rd base, the throw from our 2nd baseman went over the 3rd baseman's head into dead ball territory. The umpire correctly awarded the B/R 3rd and Home. But here is where it got good. The B/R never touched 3rd or Home, he just went straight from being between 2nd and 3rd into the dugout. We appealed the B/R at 3rd and our appeal was denied. We the appealed the B/R at Home and our appeal was agains denied. We then asked why our appeals were denied and we were toled that the B/R did not have to touch any of the awarded bases because they were just that, awarded bases.

MTD, Sr.

I was working the plate in a HS game with a guy who had been working college games for over 30 years. I got 5 tips after the game and I really appreciated it. I adopted 4 of the 5 (all tips are not good).

I have worked with several guys who show balls on the right hand and strikes on the left.

Saw this last week at my nephews HS game, I was in the stands.

Ball hit deep to RF, looks like its going to clear the fence, BU gives the HR signal, BUT, the ball hits the top rail of the fence, bounces back into the field of paly, and RF catches it AFTER it bounced off the rail and before it hits the ground. BU calls it a catch, batter out, all hell breaks loose. Was the last out so game over.

Now, was the BU right or wrong? I looked it up, I say it was not a catchable ball, was no longer in flight when it hit the fence rail, therefore no catch, its still live. I' a first year ump calling HS this eyar, just want to make sure I'm right if I think I'm right.

1..Don't give a signal UNTIL something happens. FIRST GOOF.

2..You're right, he's wrong. Ball hits anything but a player, it's no longer in flight. GOOF NUMBER TWO.

3..Was there no appeal, or protest?

Bob

Re: Mmmmm,
 

I'll agree that evals should be done so an official, requardless of the sport could have the opportunity to improve. I say opportunity because some think they are already perfect and that they are not getting games they "deserve" due to political reasons, and will disreguard the eval. I personnally welcome being evaled from umpires I have the respect for, and that I know will do things right. I also agree that nothing annoys me more than hearing someone say you did alright and then nothing else. If I am only alright then what do I need to be good. I hear that quite a bit in basketball where I know I am still learning. I think some basketball officials are not at all helpful of newer refs for whatever reason. Baseball and football seems to be totally different in that requard.

The worst I have seen was in a HS regional last year. The home team was ranked #1 in the state and the visiting team was ranked in the top 10. The visiting team had runners at 1st and 3rd with one out. I'm at A. The runner from 1st went on a hit and run. The batter swung and missed and his momentum carried him across the plate where he hit the catcher so hard he almost fell. I waited for the interference call, but it never came. The coach came out and discussed the play with my partner, then returned to the dugout. The two runs eventually scored and the visiting team won the game. After the game, my partner explained he did not call interference because "you cannot have interference without a throw".



Having read this play, my question to Blue 37 is: With runners on first and third....why were you in position A?

Michael

It was a HS regional game, maybe it was three man mechanics?

That was my thought. Round here tho we only use 2 until the state final rounds. Regionals and districts we use 2.

Worse thing I've ever had a partner do is NOT SHOW UP!!!!!!

Nothing worse than having your partner NOT show up and NOT call the school to let them know.

I've never had it happen in baseball before but it has happened 3 times so far in softball. Since softball has the shorter 60 foot bases and the teams didn't want to go to the hassle of re-scheduling they agreed to play with just one ump.

I made it very clear that I would do it ONLY if I got both checks and ONLY if I didn't hear any crap from either side on close calls.

All 3 times the games went fine (2 were actually 10 run rule blowouts). Actually if you clear the catcher and head toward 1st base you get a heck of a good angle on "bangers" on first. One time I had a good tag and an out on a steal at second but since I had just cleared the plate I ask them to "show me the ball". When the 2nd baseman showed the ball I called the runner out with no arguments.

That's easy. I saw Don Denkinger take the World Series away from the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985.

Bullsh!t. The Cardinals lost that series on their own. My how myths grow.

First remember Don's blown call was in game 6, not game 7. Then remember it resulted in the lead off batter making it to first. What happened next?

Jack Clark muffed Balboni's foul fly that would have helped the Cardinals get out of the inning unscathed. Let's not forget that catcher Porter mishandled a Todd Worrell pitch that put the winning run into scoring position.

Then game 7? Who are you going to blame that on?

No one call by any umpire including an admitted blown call at first by Denkinger cost the Cardinals that series. Get over it.

[Edited by GarthB on Mar 27th, 2005 at 07:21 PM]

About 2 years ago my assigner called around 2:00 to ask me to work a game between 2 private high schools at 4:00. I said ok, arrived at 3:30 and by 3:45 no partner had shown up so I dressed for the plate. I did not even know who my partner was supposed to be. I showed up at pregame, told the coaches I was a late fill in and did not know who my partner was but it appeared he was going to be late. I gave them 3 options, go home, start and possibly end with one ump, or wait till my partner showed up. They opted to start the game. The game lasted 1 hour 20 minutes, 2-1 score, there was only one close call (a banger at 1B) and the home team wrote me a check for 1.5 times the normal game fee. There was no griping from either side except for mild disagreement on the banger. Partner never showed. Best game I had all year.

[Edited by DG on Mar 27th, 2005 at 07:50 PM]

NO Partner Predicament
 

Sometimes NO partner is better than a inferior partner!!!!

Wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis but it can work if you make it work.

Re: NO Partner Predicament
 

Man, I work without a partner more often than not.

YOU GUYS HAVE IT GOOD!

The worst I have see was about 15/18 yrs ago in a 13/14 PONY game. The PU was a self-proclaimed rules expert but was in reality an idiot. Ball was hit to RF deep, the BR comes into second on a stand up double. The ball is relayed into F6 12/15 ft from the bag and way after the BR was there. The PU comes out and calls the runner out for not sliding. A conversation began between the two umps and the PU told the BU if he couldn't handle his calls he should leave. The BU took him up on the offer. This was only one of many bonehead calls I saw this guy make.

Worst thing I ever saw?
 

After reading all of the posts on this subject, I will have to admit that what I'm about to impart to ya'll, is with out a doubt the worst thing any of us has ever heard of or seen.

Several years ago I was scheduled to do a LL 13-14 YO (Yes I know, Kiddy ball, but it is where I got started) game on a Saturday afternoon. I arrived early, got down to the field to watch a little of the game before mine. Situation was R1 & 2 man crew, I actually watched the PU almost get run over by the BU on a routine base hit to the outfield. R1 going 1-3, PU coming up the line yelling "I got 3, I've got 3!", came inside to make the call and for whatever reason, the BU never acknowledged him and almost ran the PU over while back pedaling into 3.

1 ball, 1 defender, 1 runner, 2 umps to make the call.

PRICELESS!!

Not quite ...
 

I wish I had kept my post last year. ESPN did an article and a TV special on Denkinger and it was great.

But your post is in error. You need the "rest of the story."

I see Garth provided that.

Take a search around ESPN.com and its very interesting reading.

Thanks
David

Worst I've seen - supposed 20-year umpire. He's BU, I'm at the plate. Pop up to 2nd base with no one on. Fans all scream as F4 is trying to catch it, and he drops it. I hear "Interference! Batter's out!" I didn't see interference, but was not going to contradict him on the field. Between innings (this old boy had to visit with me between every half-inning) I ask him what happened. "Verbal Fan Interference."

OK, fine - new one on me, too late to fix.

2nd game, he's behind the plate. One out, R2. Catcher catches a 1-hopper for swinging strike 3 and fires to third to catch R2 stealing, I call him out. PU is yelling, "Batter's out! Batter's Out!" as batter makes it to 1st without a throw. Coach goes nuts, gets ejected. Assistant (a wiser man) approaches PU calmly and asks him to discuss the call with me. Much to my shock he does. Turns out he knows the ball bounced - but ruled batter out because catcher fielded the ball cleanly. I tell him he's wrong (no one else can hear us), and he yells at me, for all to hear, "You're a F$^#&ing idiot!" and returns to the plate. Poor assistant coach doesn't know to protest.

He never worked for us again either.

Mmmm,
 

Mr. Crowder:

You may have the winning entry.

A double header none the less.

I would've helped the coach through the protest after that.

Girl's fastpitch softball game (i know i know). Routine grounder to F6 who throws to F3 to get the BR. As the throw is half way across the diamond, PU yells "Batter's Out! Batter's Out!" When asked why- she was running outside the runner's lane.

No contact with F3 or anything.

mcrowder i think you do win. Thats great. There is alot of confusion with that 3rd strike where i umpire too. It must NOT hit the ground to be considered a clean catch for the third strike, correct?

lighten up
 

Come on guys. Lighten up. I am sure in all of the situations discussed the umpires were just trying to make conversation by making these rulings or not showing up.

I posted this once before but here it goes again. HS Varsity game. I'm BU, bottom of 2nd 1 out R1, PU calls balk while pitcher is standing on rubber getting sign. I had know idea why PU called balk. Visiting head coach calmly called time and walked out to the PU, had a conversation and returned to the dugout. I did not hear the conversation between the coach and PU. Pitcher asked me why he called a balk and I replied I have no idea ask your coach when the inning is over. Later the visiting coach told me it was because the pitcher was holding the ball beside his leg not behind his back. Now the fun begins bottom of 7th home team trailing 11-2. PU lost his strike zone and walked the next 13 batters in a row. Visiting team used 3 pitchers during the walkathon. From my viewpoint there were plenty of pitches that could be called strikes. Visiting coach asked me during one of the pitching changes if I thought he was getting screwed and could he appeal to me on called balls. I informed him no he cannot appeal to me on called balls and I hope you have your KY jelly so it doesn't hurt so bad. Home team wins game 11-12 with no hits and no outs in bottom of 7th. Found out later that PU was a graduate from the home team HS. I quit being an umpire after that game.

Ouch.

I play HS Varsity baseball and last year we had an umpire who was terrible, just really bad. One day the guy was having an especially bad day behind the plate. We're in the field as the visitors, maybe 4th inning of a 6-2 game... our pitcher throws a belt-high fastball right down the middle....and it's called a ball. My coach asks where was it, and the classic response? "Low."

In my opinion, thats why you should umpire, to do it right and restore some integrity to the game unlike this clown.

Personally, if what he has stated is accurate, I think we are better off without him. You might think your partner is deliberately throwing a game, but to share that perception with a coach during the contest is less than honorable. Take your concerns to your assignor. I hope the quip about the KY was an embellishment and did not really happen.

My partner and I are both first year umpires. R1 and R2 pitch bounces in the dirt and hits the PU in the chest, runners, who would have been safe standing up, take off. PU calls it a dead ball because it hit him.

Of course the offensive coach went and spoke to him. PU came to me and asked me about it. I think we made the right decision. I told him we had to eat it because he called it dead so it was dead forever and the runners had to go back. Luckily it was a 10 run rule game and the runners later scored.

Was I correct in making the runners return to their bases or should the runners have been awarded 2nd and 3rd base?

This really happened...
 

in a Little League tourney. BU calls time and turns to face he outfield fence 200 feet away where a parent is grousing about a call. Umpire yells, "You wanna Ump?" Parent yells, "Sure..but my kid's in the game." Ump yells,"That's OK...get out here!"

Parent jumps over fence and trots to second base, stays for a couple pitches before tourney Director - red as a beet - comes on to field to escort parent off.

I'm not making this up.

I agree, it's bad to just be a no-show... but it's worse to arrive after the halfway point of a game and want the pay anyway... which will be explained below.
Last season, mid-July, I showed up for an American Legion double header- two 7's. About 10 min 'til gametime, still no partner. I call my assignor... no answer. I proceed to the field and talk to both coaches and they agree to use a single umpire and they "will be nice."
In the fifth inning of the SECOND game, my partner arrives and tries to sneek into the A position. I hear the coach at 1B emphatically request time.
My "partner" approaches and says, "sorry, I had the wrong start time."
I assured him that I had things handled and he went to the parking lot. After the game, he asked me if I picked up his check... I just left in amazement!

As someone else has stated "this is easy for me." The Gregg fiasco in the 1996 NLCS (Atl v Fla). This was by far the worst example of umpiring I have ever seen. I am sure the Gregg fiasco has been beaten to death on these forums over the years, but it was shocking.

And the other umpires got there because they were the most talented around? Yeah right. I guess that is why when they turned in their resignations from the Ritchie Phillips fiasco hit no one was crying when the door hit them in the ***. Eric Gregg was just as bad as the rest of them. That is why most of those guys are gone now and the ones that wanted to play ball stayed. Do not give me that "he was Black" line when one of the white guys gets passed up. The whole system was flawed and that is why it was changed.

Peace

What was this guy thinking ?????
 

I once saw an umpire innocently post a genuinely honest question on a discussion forum, and expect a professional, non-biased answer, without a personal attack on their intelligence, ability, or race.

Hehehe, one guy chums the water and watch 'em take the bait.....

I haven't seen too many really bad calls but this was one of the more botched up calls. Good thing was he eventually got it right

Bases loaded, one out, batter hits a two bouncer to first who steps on the bag and fires home. Catcher steps on home and walks off as PU calls the out.

I "as LL coach" ask PU calmly if when F3 steped on first if it did not take off the force at home. He agrees and changed the call as my player slid in without any attempt for a tag at home.

It's amazing what some civil speech can do for you. It unfortunately didn't make up for the guy's strike zone which may have been the lowest (for both teams) that I've ever seen.

I have two. Not sure which was worse, probably the second of these.

#1 - Female partner, first time I'd ever worked with her, but I was told she taught clinics for both softball and baseball. Seemed very professional at first. At some point in the game, the pitch comes bouncing in on a swinging strike three, and the catcher fields it cleanly. Batter takes off. F2 throws it into right field, but PU is screaming "Batter's out, batter's OUT!!!"

Coach comes to me, and I direct him to her, but trail a bit - and keeping the assistant coach out of the discussion. Finally the coach says, "Well, then, I protest." PU says, "You can protest from the F'ing parking lot, cause you're gone!" So I step in, and pull partner aside. I start with explaining that we need to log the protest, or we could just correct this on the spot, since it was obviously a dropped third strike. She argues (with me, and loudly now) that since the catcher caught it cleanly, it wasn't "dropped". Then points at me and says, "Get your @$$ back to your position or I'll call the rest of this on my own."

Pretty bad - eventually had to replay the whole game over when all was said and done. Never saw her again.

2nd sitch:

Redneck moron know-it-all OOO on the bases. Game is tight, late, bases loaded, 2 outs. Pop up to F4. High enough that batter was almost to 2nd when it was about to be caught. Fans on that side all yell "DROP IT!!!", and F4 does. 4 runs score before the dust settles. BU then starts yelling for "Interference" on the offense, nullifying the run. As coach is arguing, I overhear that my partner is calling this "Fan Verbal Interference". OMG.

Mcrowder - where are you located? You have now posted two examples of very third world plays that occurred in my association in the last 3 years.

I'm in Northwest Dallas.

Orangeump,

The scream of pain you heard was me reacting to having my toes trampled. Sometimes I do get caught up in ego games and think I need to toot my own horn. Thanks for the reminder!!!

Also, thanks for pointing out that I should be more mindful of the feelings of others. I will be more careful with the details I provide, so the identities of those involved in any situation are not revealed.

Worst thing I ever saw. Well I didn't actually see it.

Late August a nice warm late Sunday afternoon 6:40 PM. Kids are in the pool. Wife has the steaks all nicely marinated - you get the picture of domestic bliss here. I've assured that my umpiring is done for another year.

I've just lit the BBQ when the phone rings. Seems the blue didn't show up for the regional final and the league pres wants me to hustle down there and do it. Gee thanks, now i'm in hot water even before I leave for the park. Not the extra-warm reception I get for being late for game - and no to the coaches/fans it does not matter that I was not scheduled to work this game.

Sigh.